UNC Now In Mix for Councell

Don Callahan

06/15/2010

While visiting UNC last Friday, Ben Councell added the Tar Heels to his list of scholarship offers.

"After lunch I went to the car to sleep and [Art Kaufman] called me and was like ‘Where did you go – you better not have left,'" Councell explained. "He toured me around on the golf cart and introduced me to all the defensive coaches – mainly [John Blake] because eventually they think I may be a walk up DE in third down situations. He took me up to Butch Davis' office and they offered."

Before Davis actually offered Councell, a 6-foot-5, 210-pounder from Asheville (N.C.) Reynolds, they conversed for approximately an hour.

"He said when Kaufman showed him the film earlier [in the year], he was rushed and didn't get to watch it that well," Councell said. "But he decided to re-watch it after seeing me in-person. He said he was impressed by my size and height."

UNC views Councell as a ‘tweener prospect that will likely grow into a defensive end.

"Right now [UNC is recruiting me as a] linebacker, but since I'm 6-5, [Davis] eventually sees me as a D-end," Councell said.

Ironically, Councell almost didn't make the trip to UNC.

"A teammate of mine, [Caleb Pressley], he was heading down there and [Art Kaufman] wanted me to come down," Councell said. "So I just went down just to hang out."

The offer immediately places UNC on Councell's favorite schools list, which also includes Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, and South Carolina. Councell mentioned that he also has offers from Maryland, NC State, East Carolina and Duke.

"The UNC offer is pretty big," Councell said. "My parents like it, because it's kind of close – and that's what they're hoping for – and it's a great school."

Councell could be ready to make a verbal commitment within the next month.

"I'm ready to get it over with, but I want to visit my top four schools before I make a commitment," Councell said. "… This recruiting stuff was fun for a while, but I want to move on."

Councell plans on visiting Notre Dame within the next couple of weeks and Georgia Tech shortly thereafter. When he revisits UNC and South Carolina, he plans on having his parents with him.

During Councell's Friday visit to UNC, the Tar Heels were holding their two-day camp. Councell didn't participate, but made sure to watch Kaufman as he instructed the linebacker group.

"I like Coach Kaufman's approach to coaching," Councell said. "He got upset when you didn't do what you're supposed to do, which shows his attention to detail."

For a good portion of the visit, Councell hung out with fellow recruits Stephone Anthony and Brandon Ellerbe.

"It was cool getting to know them," Councell said. "Jeffeory Pagan, he's my buddy over at Asheville and he's real good friends with Stephone… We got to hang out in the players' lounge… We hit it off really well."